Because if your “productivity system” needs a user manual, it’s not helping.
Let’s be honest. Notion is amazing… until you build a goal tracker so complicated it needs its own tutorial and you end up tracking nothing at all.
If your Notion dashboard has turned into a digital jungle, don’t worry. Here’s how to track your goals the lazy genius way — simple, quick, and actually fun to use.
🧠 Step 1: Ditch the Fancy Templates (At First)
Yes, that one viral template on Reddit looked so aesthetic. But unless you actually enjoy managing 12 interconnected databases, start simple.
Create a new page. Call it “Goals” or “Stuff I Want to Do Without Crying.” That works too.
✅ Step 2: Use a Super Basic Table
All you really need is a tiny table with a few columns:
| Goal | Progress | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drink more water | 💧💧 | Ongoing | Got a new bottle |
| Finish a book | 📖📖📖 | June 30 | Avoid TikTok first |
| Learn guitar | 🎸 | December | Fingers hurt 😬 |
Use emojis or short text for progress. Why? Because updating stuff should feel fun, not like logging into Excel Hell.
🧹 Step 3: Update It Once a Week (Max)
You don’t need to open Notion 17 times a day. Try this instead:
- Pick one day a week (Sunday, for example).
- Open your goal tracker.
- Update progress with emojis or notes.
- That’s it. You’re done. Go eat a cookie.
This keeps your system light and guilt-free.
🔄 Optional: Add Habit-ish Goals with Checkboxes
Want to track small habits like “stretch daily” or “take vitamins”?
Make a mini checklist for the week:
☐ Mon – Took vitamins
☐ Tue – Took vitamins
☐ Wed – Forgot (again)
☐ Thu – Redemption arc
You’re not trying to be perfect. You’re just noticing what sticks.
🔔 Bonus: Set a Weekly Reminder
If you’re the “forget I even made a Notion page” type (relatable), just:
- Set a weekly calendar reminder
- Or use a phone alarm that says: “Update Notion goals, you legend”
- Keep it light. Guilt = no motivation.
Final Thought
Tracking goals in Notion doesn’t have to become a part-time job. Start simple, make it visual (hello, emojis), update it once a week, and celebrate any progress—even baby steps count.
Progress > perfection. Always.
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